I’ve never understood why so many people want one of the worst men in America to be president. It’s been analyzed many times by psychologists, historians, journalists, authors and political junkies. Despite all explanations, it’s still baffling, depressing and infuriating that Trump maintains his hold over the MAGA – millions of voters and thousands of spineless Republican politicians. It is a tragic commentary on the state of the republic that so many Americans think Trump is the best this nation has to offer. After his federal indictment last week, I proffered that Trumpies are simply “willfully blind” to his many offenses. A reader took offense at that. Here are his comments (in italics) and my responses.
“It is crucial to recognize that an indictment does not equate to guilt. The presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle of justice, and it is imperative to afford this presumption to every individual, including President Trump. As the legal process unfolds, it is journalistically irresponsible to label him guilty.”
I did not declare Trump guilty. In fact, I used some form of the phrase “if convicted” twice.
Furthermore, suggesting that individuals who defend Trump are “willfully blind” to the threat he poses oversimplifies the complexity of political allegiance and personal beliefs.
No adult American – liberal, conservative or moderate – who claims to be an objective thinker and a responsible citizen can support Trump given all we know about him. He clearly incited the insurrection of Jan. 6, and that alone should be enough to disqualify him as a candidate for president. And yet, what do we have? Millions of citizens, led by Republicans in the House and Senate, still supporting Trump no matter what. According to Merriam-Webster, “willfully blind” means: “deliberate failure to make a reasonable inquiry of wrongdoing despite suspicion or an awareness of the high probability of its existence.” Furthermore, the dictionary says, “Willful blindness involves conscious avoidance of the truth.”
So, I think I have this right.
People may support Trump based on policies, economic considerations or other factors that go beyond their evaluation of his legal situation.
By “policies,” you must mean raising deficits by cutting taxes for millionaires and corporations. Or maybe by “policies,” you mean Trump’s racist approach to immigrants informed by the young fascist Stephen Miller. Or walking away from international agreements on climate change and Iran nuclear development. Aside from some surprising criminal justice reforms, there isn’t much of consequence from the Trump administration worth mentioning.
I agree that people can have opinions about domestic and foreign policy, but they’re not entitled to wholly dismiss facts, such as: Trump incited the Jan. 6 insurrection; he continues to claim without evidence that the 2020 election was riddled with voter fraud; he allegedly absconded with classified documents upon leaving office and refused to return them when the government asked for them back; he’s been found liable for sexual assault and defamation. Trump supporters are in denial about all of that and much more. A person who accepts all of Trump’s offenses in return for tax breaks is “willfully blind,” not to mention selfish.
Others may believe the mental capacity of President Biden is a worse alternative.
When in doubt, throw in a cheap shot about your opponent. But I found myself more amused than offended by this comment given what we’ve learned from Trump’s indictment. Whose “mental capacity” is of greater concern — a hoarder of classified documents who lies constantly, speaks in non sequiturs and calls people vile names… or an old-guy president who managed to keep Republicans from sending the national economy over a cliff? I get that a lot of people, including Democrats, think Biden is too old, and that probably figures into his low approval rating. But while Trump has little to nothing to show for his four years, Biden has managed to accomplish a great many things in two and a half years. If it comes to the choice between old men, I’ll take the never-indicted, slow-speaking, throat-clearing Democrat over the indicted, dangerous Mar-a-Largo narcissist. Trumpies ridicule Biden because, when it comes to defending Trump, they got nothin’.
Dismissing all his supporters as blind or incapable of discerning national security threats undermines the diversity of opinions and perspectives within our democracy.
As I and others have said so many times: Everyone is entitled to opinions; they’re not entitled to their own set of facts.
Lastly, you claim that the Department of Justice being “weaponized” against Trump is unfounded. However, it is essential to acknowledge that claims of politically motivated prosecutions have been made throughout history, regardless of party affiliation. It is not unreasonable for defendants, including Trump, to question the motivations behind the charges brought against them. These concerns should be addressed and thoroughly examined in a fair legal process to ensure justice.
In Sunday’s post, I acknowledge that politicians charged with corruption always claim some form of “politics” is behind their indictments. But most, in my experience with the federal court in Maryland, learned to shut up about that eventually and turn toward defending themselves – or getting a good plea deal – in court. It is not normal (and arguably authoritarian) for the former head of the federal government to continually disparage that government — to claim the DOJ is corrupt, that the FBI can’t be trusted. Claiming your accusers are unethical is what scoundrels do when they have no defense.
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Dan Rodricks 
Your columns are always great! I agree with everything you say about Trump! He needs to go to jail and keep his mouth shut!
I am so sick of seeing his face and hearing about him. He is the worst ever. He made a mockery of everything this great country stands for. Thank you!
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Dan: You forgot to mention the other great policies of the Trump Administration and his behaviors: Cozying up to Putin and Xi. Raising tariffs so as to cause price increases for Americans and hurting farmers seeking to export goods overseas. Issuing pardons to undeserving political cronies. Insulting our NATO allies. Refusing to go to a WW I cemetery in France because it was drizzling. Insulting war heroes like John McCain. Ceding the judicial appointment process to the Federalist Society. Profiting from his position by mixing affairs of state with his hotels and golf courses.
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All good, thanks for the addenda.
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Excellent column. Your bafflement, as expressed in your first paragraph, is widely shared. It has become increasingly clear to me that anyone who supports this enemy of the people, despicable human being, bully, predator, con man and perpetual liar must be ignorant, stupid, a hater or some combination of those 3 categories. There can be no other possible explanation. The fact that almost all Republicans, both voters and politicians, continue to support him leaves me with the inescapable conclusion that there is little hope for this country. We will soon be known by the ever-shrinking thinking part of the world to be one with those nations in the category of failed (or soon-to-be-failed) states, in the same boat with Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Israel and every other country with an official religion and/or an authoritarian leader. Biden, and the Democrats, for all their faults and failings, are so far superior to the GOP and its supporters in proposed policies and ideas and caring for all of our citizens that every election in this country should be a cakewalk for the Dems. The fact that they aren’t bodes ill for our future.
Harris Factor Columbia, MD 410-746-0273
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Brilliant analysis! Whether or not Trump is your “man,” denying his apparent flaws in governing, his continuing to lie concerning his actions; and, literally, calling for the overthrow of the elected President and fomenting chaos at The Capital, should cause you deep shame.
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Thanks, Dan, for not letting these folks off the hook. Specific point by point refutation is responsible journalism, and you are masterful. Those who wish us back to the 2017-2020 “good old days” are always hard pressed to say what specifically they actually liked about that period. “Alternative facts” send us to Bizarro World, which is an entertaining DC Comics land of the lost for kids.
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Thanks Dan for passing on the Koolaid!
If only the other half of our population would even consider doing the same.
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Thank you for a wonderful response to this Trump supporter. I was a bit surprised to see a Trump person who actually uses multi-syllable words. This is the first time I’ve encountered one. I was also surprised that this person could assemble a decent argument, flawed though it may be. The Trumpers I have spoken to usually can only wave the flag and rant about immigrants taking our jobs and getting free social security.
When Donald Trump dared to criticize John McCain, a true American hero and an honest and honorable man, I was outraged. All his flag waving followers don’t realize that Trump has NO regard for our military or veterans. He has no concept of sacrifice. The ordinary people who “believe” in Trump can’t see that he has nothing but contempt for them and merely uses them for his own gain. He disparages Hillary Clinton, who took her loss, which was by a relatively small margin, with grace, never whining about fraud.
A special thank you, Dan, for outling Trump’s policies. I didn’t realize he had any.
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Very well said Dan. Why don’t you read and post these thoughts on social media so they get wider visibility. Rodricks goes VIRAL! (Still miss Breakfast with Rodricks)
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Thank you. All my blog posts are on Twitter and Facebook.
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Dan,
Your stance on Donald Trump is unequivocally correct. If one simply looks at the 7-year history of his behavior including the 30,000+ lies he told while serving in office and what he has done (ask Jack Smith) since leaving Washington, one can only come to a single conclusion. He’s a crook, a Fascist, a bigot, and a con man philanderer. Otherwise, he’s obnoxious, ignorant and emotionally unstable. If anyone likes that and so professes, that person is NEVER TO BE TRUSTED. End of story.
Bill Nerenberg 443.790.9662
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Sounds like your trump supporter was possibly a well spoken, and articulate alter-ego, devil’s advocate? Great article as usual!
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Dan: you’re still the only reason I hang onto the Sun. A consummate voice of reason. Well done! I still love Joe Scarborough’s tag for trump supporters: “insurrectionists, weirdos and freaks.” It’s simply astonishing that there are still people around who believe in him.
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They remain “deplorable,” even the articulate ones…. ________________________________
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Dan I agree with your stated argument above 100%. I think that some people are also unknowledgeable what exactly a “malignant narcissist” is and represents in human history. This former POTUS ‘donald trump’ is exactly the definition of and should be labelled so in the realm of human history. We as a nation cannot be allowed to make the same mistake twice because of uneducated citizens who refuse to review history in order learn. He is an assault to anyone who loves their fellow man regardless of political ties or background. Let’s all recognize that and proclaim it outloud!
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